Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 102059 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Honestly, talking about Scapa Flow without mentioning the German High Seas Fleet often feels like missing the point. But this unnamed wreck, Canmore 101979, offers a different kind of dive, and we really love it for that. She’s not one of the big boys, probably a smaller steamer or trawler, resting somewhere in the Flow’s murkier depths. What you get here is pure, unadulterated wreck diving, the kind that feels like you’re the first to find her. Exploration is the name of the game. We've spent dives just tracing her broken hull, imagining the history she holds. Visibility can swing dramatically, so pick your day carefully, but when it’s good, you can make out the skeletal remains of her superstructure, often draped in long kelp fronds that sway with the gentle current. Schools of poor cod shelter in her shadowy compartments, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large anglerfish hunkered down amongst the debris – keep those lights scanning the darker corners. For us, this wreck is about the intimate connection you build with a piece of history, away from the crowds of the more famous sites. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the quiet mystery of the deep.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.838024, -3.839457
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Tarbat Ness

Best Time to Dive in Scapa Flow, Orkney

The warmest water temperatures in Scapa Flow, Orkney occur in January, averaging 8.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 8.4°C (air: 5.5°C)
  • February: 8.4°C (air: 5.3°C)
  • March: 8.4°C (air: 5.9°C)
  • April: 8.4°C (air: 6.8°C)
  • May: 8.4°C (air: 9.7°C)
  • June: 8.4°C (air: 12.4°C)
  • July: 8.4°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • August: 8.4°C (air: 13.7°C)
  • September: 8.4°C (air: 12.7°C)
  • October: 8.4°C (air: 10.2°C)
  • November: 8.4°C (air: 8.0°C)
  • December: 8.4°C (air: 5.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Nearest Dive Centres to Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 102059

Marine Life in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Home to 155 recorded species including 63 reef fish, 17 whales & dolphins, 12 sharks & rays, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 102059

Based on average water temperature of 8.4°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 8°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories